MONTREAL — A former Quebec excavation contractor received a sympathy card, making reference to his own death, after he blew the whistle on collusion in his industry.

Andre Durocher is the second witness to be intimidated with a condolence card after testifying at the Charbonneau Commission.

In November he told the inquiry that a cabal of construction firms garnered the lion's share of contracts in five municipalities on Montreal's north shore. Durocher said all other companies, including his, were shut out of the market because they didn't have close ties to local politicians.

Last week he said he found an anonymous envelope in his mailbox that was simply addressed to "Durocher."

Inside was a card that read "Sincere sympathies" with a photograph of his house inside.

He said he also received mysterious phone calls at all hours of the day and night following his testimony. He would pick up the phone and hear nothing but an eerie silence at the other end.

Only one phone call came with a message.

"You've made us lose $300 million a year since 2009," the stranger told him before hanging up.

Durocher says the incidents deprived him of lucrative business and forced him out of the industry.

"I see it as intimidation," he told QMI Agency this week from home.

"There are people who don't want to see me back on the market."

Despite his ordeal, he urges other whistleblowers to take the stand at the inquiry and denounce illegal activity.

Quebec whistleblower gets sympathy card in the mail, referencing his own death

MONTREAL — A former Quebec excavation contractor received a sympathy card, making reference to his own death, after he blew the whistle on collusion in his industry.

Andre Durocher is the second witness to be intimidated with a condolence card after testifying at the Charbonneau Commission.

In November he told the inquiry that a cabal of construction firms garnered the lion's share of contracts in five municipalities on Montreal's north shore. Durocher said all other companies, including his, were shut out of the market because they didn't have close ties to local politicians.

Last week he said he found an anonymous envelope in his mailbox that was simply addressed to "Durocher."

Inside was a card that read "Sincere sympathies" with a photograph of his house inside.